SIR D. McLEAN DEAD

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 583, 8 February 1929, Page 11

SIR D. McLEAN DEAD

EDUCATED IN AUCKLAND HAWKE’S BAY PASTORALIST Press Association NAPIER, Thursday. Tiie death has occurred of Sir Robert Donald Douglas McLean. Sir Donald, who- was the only son of the late Sir Donald McLean, K.C.M.G., was born in Wellington in 1852, but spent most of his early years in Napier. He was educated at the Auckland Grammar School, and subsequently at Clifton College, England. He was called to the Bar in England, but did not practise, returning to the Dominion to take up pastoral pursuits. His Maraekakaho Station is recognised as a model New Zealand station He was the Dominion’s foremost breeder of Shorthorn cattle and Welsh ponies, and was one of the leading breeders of /draught horses, Lincoln. English Leicester and Merino sheep.

In public affairs Sir Donald took a keen practical interest, representing Napier in the House ol’ Representatives from 1896 to 1899 and serving on numerous public bodies, including the Hawke’s Bay County Council and the Hawke’s Bay Hospital Board. Ho was president of the Hawke’s Bay Agricultural and Pastoral Society. On all national questions he was a staunch Imperialist. During the war he and Lady McLean were engaged in various patriotic activities in London.

Sir Donald was a member of the executive committees of Walton Hospital and the New Zealand War Contingent Association | he was chairman of the executive committee of the New Zealand Soldiers’ Hostel and was a member of the executive council of the Royal Colonial Institute. With Lady McLean lie returned to his estate after the peace was signed. Sir Donald was a strong supporter of the Navy League, was president of the Hawke’s Bay branch for many years and was later its patron; he was also vice-chairman of the executive in London. Plis only son, Captain A. McLean. died a few years ago, as the result of war services. Pie is survived by Lady McL&an and two daughters.